ACT ONE
CHAPTER ONE
King Bens First Proclamation

Once upon a time, long, long ago... well, more like 20 years ago... Belle married her Beast in front of 6,000 of their closest personal friends.

Big cake.

Yeah, so instead of a honeymoon, Beast united all of the kingdoms and got himself elected king of the United States of Auradon.

He rounded up all the villains and sidekicks basically all the really interesting people... and he booted them off to the isle of the lost with a magical barrier to keep them there.

This is my hood.

No magic. No wi-fi. No way out. Or so I thought. Hang on, you're about to meet us.

But first this happened.

It was on a hot Saturday morning in Auradon that our story begins, the temperature far higher than usual as any Prince or Princess or being of good nature prepared another typical day of spreading good.

After the King banished all the Villains and their children to the Isle of the lost protected by the magical barrier, Auradon was the perfect place to be. The people were lovely and good and full of love, there were no threats of war or invasion in the near future and happiness could be found around every corner as if it were a paradise.

But Auradon was also a place of learning.

All of the children from the parents of the good were sent to Auradon prep, where they were taught the values their parents had for their stories. They would be taught how to be good, proper and how to adapt in their perfect utopia where the Beasts son Ben would eventually rue. And for the lucky few who would eventually rule their own Kingdoms outside of Auradon in the future, it prepared the young Prince and Princesses to rule as good, sophisticated young people.

However one Prince, was not so keen on the idea.

"THIEF!"

As soon as the stall owner screamed the damned word, the marketplace fell silent. A figure stood still in his place, his eyes widening as he realised he'd been spotted as he pulled his hood over his head and began to run from the flock of guards trailing his every move.

Despite the fact that he had been spotted, the hooded Prince knew he would never be caught. It was too easy for him to get away and he had done this so many times that he had even built quite a reputation for himself. But the kingdom wouldn't do anything even if he was caught, for the Prince was treasured in the kingdom and his witty remarks alone saved him many times.

And not to mention how much the women in Auradon adored him.

The Prince is question was Prince Ali of Agrabah the son of Aladdin and Jasmine, the soon to be Sultan of Agrabah. Despite how ironic his name was, it had been something that genie had teased Aladdin and Jasmine about over the years, the Prince didn't actually showcase any values that his fathers Prince Ali did in his song. Despite his wealth and status, Ali didn't have an ego the size of his parading elephant back home. He was more humble than most of the other Princes and Princesses in the kingdom, the thought of being Sultan being the least of his concerns as he tried to do everything he could before he was forced to rule.

And one of his favourite things to do was borrow things from the marketplace.

Ali rounded a corner, finding himself in a dead end as he turned around and saw the guards checking every alley for him. The Prince sighed as he pulled his hood down, the sudden sound of heavy breathing and ragged coughs filling the alley as a small monkey appeared from under the hood and gave the Prince a death glare.

"Sorry Amal!" The Prince apologised to the monkey, the female monkey garing at him as she crossed her arms over her chest and began to chat gibberish. "Looks like we'll be caught this time."

"You've really done it this time Ali!" Someone whisper shouted in the alley, Ali sighing in relief as he looked forward and a fox ran into the shadows of the alley, a redhead with white ends of her hair emerging from the shadows seconds later was an unamused look on her face. "You had one job."

"What?" Ali asked with a shrug as he smiled at the girl. "It's just a bit of fun."

"Don't you have to meet Ben?" The girl asked the Prince, his eyes widening in relaisation as he and Amal shared a look. The girl sighed in irritation as she held her hand out to Ali. "Just give me the hoodie!"

"Hoodie! Ha, that's funny." Ali laughed at the pun, the redhead rolling her eyes at him as she took his hoodie and put it on before running out into the marketplace - the guards immediately spotting her and chasing after her and away from Ali. He then turned to Amal, zipping up the pockets of his trousers as they made their way back to Auradon prep. "Now this Amal is why we hang around with Ronnie."

Veronica Hood, or Ronnie as she much preferred to be known, was the daughter of the famous archer and thief Robin Hood and his beautiful wife Maid Marian. Now Ronnie was very much like her father, she was the record holder for archery in the whole kingdom of Auradon and she always did what was best for others.

Even if it meant stealing.

The only problem was, Auradon didn't need Ronnies help. It wasn't like Nottingham had been back in her fathers day, where mean ol' Prince John increased the taxes of the poor and left them penniless and starving. Auradon was seemingly perfect and Ronnie found that she couldn't be their hero.

That was until she met Ali.

Now Ali and Ronnie were not friends. Ronnie didn't do friends because the way she saw it, friends always ended up hurting you in the end. There had been no real reason that she began to believe this but it was something that archer stood by and despite Ali not sharing the same thoughts, he respected that and kept his distance except when they were on business.

Ali sighed in relief as he managed to sneak out of the marketplace and to his destination. Straightening his clothes and dusting off the dirt from his trousers, Ali knocked on the double doors to Bens office and placed a smile on his face. The double doors opened not even a moment later, Ali strutting into the room with a smile on his face as he smiled to his best friend Ben and bowed to the King and Queen respectfully.

"Late again Ali?" Belle teased the Prince as he stood up form his boy, a sheepish smile falling upon the boys face.

"Apologies your highness, I was running some errands in the marketplace." The Prince of Agrabah explained, the Queen and King nodding while Ben only smirked at him.

"Errands?" Ben laughed as he gave his best friend a knowing look. "Are you sure you weren't-"

"Amal!"

"Shoo!"

Ali leapt forward from where he was stood as his noticed that Amal had dug her hands into the tailors pocket and was attempting to steal from his wallet. Beast and Belle watched with amusement as the tailor started shaking Amal off him, Ali coming forward and forcefully taking the wallet from her paws and handing it back to the man.

"Sorry about that," Ali apologised before he turned around with Amal in his palms, his voice turning to a mere whisper as he gave her a disappointed look. "what have I told you? Not here!"

"Sleeve. Head." The tailor, still clearly not happy at the past encounter, instructed Ben as he measured his size with a tape measure. "Ah-ha!"

"How is it possible that you're going to be crowned king next month?" Beast asked as he smiled proudly at his son. "You're just a baby!"

"He's turning 16, dear."

"Physically perhaps," Ali mumbled to Amal as he sat down, Amal settling downon the arm of his chair. "right Amal!"

"Hey, pops." Ben attempted to speak up, his father clealy not hearing him as he turned to Belle and laughed.

"16? That's far too young to be crowned king." Beast told her as another chuckle left his lips. "I didn't make a good decision until I was at least 42."

"Uh, you decided to marry me at 28." Belle gave her husband a look, Ali taking the moment to get Bens attention as he ushered him to tell his parents his plans.

Being best friend to the future king of Auradon, Ali got the privilege of knowing Bens first royal proclamation before even his parents did and boy - were they in for a surprise. It was for that reason that Ben was afraid to tell his parents and Ali couldn't blame him for feeling that way, but he knew that Ben had to do it.

"Ah, it was either you or a teapot." Beast replied to his wife, both Ben and Ali laughing at the pair. "Kidding."

"Mom, dad..."

"Ah! Nn-nnh!" The tailor interrupted Ben as he tried to move, Ben smiling sheepishly at him in apology before turning to his parents again.

"I've chosen my first official proclamation. I've decided that the children on the isle of the lost be given a chance to live here in Auradon." The smiles fell form the monarchs faces, Ali sitting back in his chair and waiting for the two to say something. When they didn't, Ben took it upon himself to speak again. "Every time I look out to the island, I feel like they've been abandoned."

"The children of our sworn enemies, living among us?" Beast asked furiously, not believing the words coming out of his sons mouth - Ali immediately standing up and collecting his things as he tried to leave the room, not wanting to get in the middle of their familys drama.

"We start out with a few at first, only the ones who need our help the most." Ben assured his father, Ali letting Amal run up his arm and onto his shoulder as he placed his hand on the door knob. "We've already chosen them."

"We?"

"Ali and I." Ben clarified, Ali inwardly groaning as he closed the door before him and turned around knowing he was part of this conversation now.

"You knew about this?" The King questioned Ali, the Prince smiling sheepishly at him before he approached Ben and stood in front of him, admiring his suit.

"So Ben... that's a lovely suit, the blue really brings out your eyes." Ali attempted to change the subject, the Prince glaring at his best friend for putting him in such a position. He then turned to the tailor and threw him a pleading look. "Bertram,make me one next!"

"Ali!" Beast said sternly, Ali sighing as he gave the two monarchs a small smile.

"It's his first proclamation your highness, as his best friend I had no choice but to help." He explained, Amal also nodding as she settled on the Prince's shouder and started talking gibberish.

"But this..."

"I gave you a second chance." Belle told her husband, the King sighing as he nodded and Belle turned to look at Ben. "Who are their parents?"

"Cruella De Vil, Jafar, Evil Queen, Gaston and Maleficent." A series of gasps escaped those who heard, a startled ook overtaking Belles face while Beast held fury in his eyes.

"Gaston!" Belle muttered to herself, grasping her husbands arm at the thought.

"Here we go." Ali whispered to Ben as he sat back down in his seat and waited for the storm to brew.

"Maleficent!" The King shouted furiously at the two Princes. "She is the worst villain in the land!"

"Dad, just hear me out here!" Ben pleaded, the King shaking his head at the two.

"I won't hear of it. They are guilty of unspeakable crimes, Gaston tried to killed me." He said sternly, Belle squeezing her husbands arm in reassurance while Ben just gave him a sad look.

"Dad," Ben sighed, not quite knowing how he would get his plan through. "their children are innocent. "

"Ali, surely you do not agree with this?" The King turned to Agrabahs Prince with a desperate look on his face. "You have met Jafars son, you have been archenemies since you were born."

"Just means it'll be more fun around here, sin't that right Amal?" Ali asked her, the monkey nodding before the two gave the King a reassuring look.

"Don't you think they deserve a shot at a normal life?" Ben questioned his father, the Beast sharing a look with his wife who nodded. "Dad?"

"I suppose their children are innocent." Beast muttered in defeat, Ben and Ali both smiling at him and his wife for giving in.

"Well, well done." Belle praised her son, Beast nodding along with her despite his uncertainties before Belle latched onto his arm again. "Shall we?"

The King nodded, the two monarchs smiling at the two Princes as they left the room with their servants following in tow. As soon as the doubled doors closed Ali let out a sigh of relief, nudging his best friend in the arm as he smiled brightly at him.

"That went better than expected." Ali told him, Ben nodding as he crossed his arms over his chest and gave his best friend a look.

"Empty your pockets."

"What?" Ali asked as his face paled, Amal shaking her head at Ali and Ben as she too crossed her arms over her chest.

"Empty them now." Ben ordered, Ali sighing in frustration as he unzipped his pockets and placed his hands in them.

"Oh man..."

"You really need to stop stealing Ali." Ben told him as he looked at the items Ali had placed on the table next to him and sighed.

"Who said I stole them?"

"I know you better than you think I do." Ben muttered to his friend, Ali sighing as he shrugged at Ben.

"Gotta steal to eat, gotta eat to live." Ali sang to him, Ben shaking his head as he placed his hand on Alis shoulder.

"But not when you can afford what you steal." He sang back to him, Ben sighing as he let Ali pit the things back in his pocket. "Come on man, you know better."

"Rebellion is normal at our age." Ali brushed Bens hand off his shoulder and zipped his pockets up again.

"But not when you're a Prince." Ben advised him as he raised an eyebrow at Ali in worry. "Hasn't your mother already threatened to send you home?"

"Moms threats are empty," Ali shrugged with a smile. "she's just stressed because she's the Sultan and I told Dad about your proclamation ideas hypothetically and she freaked."

"Do you think it's a good idea?" Ben questioned him after a moment, his voice small and timid as he faced his best friend.

"I think it's a rotten idea..." Ali spoke truthfully, Bens face falling for a moment before he saw the smirk that overtook Alis face. "but that's exactly what we need when dealing with these Villain kids."

"Why?"

"Because they've grown up thinking they're Rotten to the Core but we can prove that they're far from it."